Caterpillar populations decline 50 per cent in areas with streetlights

At sites in the UK with streetlights, moth caterpillars decline by up to 50 per cent – and the decline is worse near LED lights compared with older, sodium lamps

Caterpillar populations decline 50 per cent in areas with streetlights
Life 25 August 2021

By Chris Stokel-Walker

LED streetlight, England, UK

There are less caterpillars astir brighter LED streetlights than older sodium lamps

Martyn Williams / Alamy

Areas with LED streetlights person up to 50 per cent less moth caterpillars surviving successful the contiguous vicinity of the light, perchance having immense impacts connected an area’s wildlife ecosystem.

“We don’t deliberation of airy contamination arsenic large a operator of biodiversity [loss] arsenic clime change,” says Douglas Boyes astatine the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not a important factor.”

Prior probe astir the interaction of artificial airy has looked …

Existing subscribers, delight log in with your email code to nexus your relationship access.

Paid quarterly

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow